Salem, OR – On the five-year anniversary of the 2020 Labor Day wildfires, Gov. Tina Kotek released the following statement:
“The 2020 Labor Day fires were an unprecedented disaster that changed how Oregon prepares for wildfire and recovery. Survivors have shown remarkable resilience, and the state remains committed to supporting their path to stability. We’ve learned hard lessons and must continue improving our preparedness to protect lives and the environment we all depend on.”
“Five years ago, as we looked at the still smoking piles of debris that stretched for miles, it was hard to imagine how we would move forward,” State Representative Pam Marsh (D-Ashland) said. “What happened next was a display of phenomenal determination and courage. Families who had lost everything called on profound emotional reserves and community support and rebuilt. Neighbors bonded together and learned what it takes to make a neighborhood fire resistant. Local governments identified evacuation routes, expedited permits and oversaw community recovery projects. Nothing about the post-fire experience should be sugarcoated—but it turns out we are far more able to face down disasters than we could have known.”
“The Labor Day Fires are something I will carry with me forever,” Oregon Department of Emergency Management Deputy Director (and former Lane County Emergency Manager during the Labor Day fires) Patence Winningham, said. “We often discuss scenarios like this in our daily planning, training and exercises—pondering the ‘what if?’ — But never did I imagine I would find myself as a County Emergency Manager, facing the worst day of my life in my own community, impacting my family, and being responsible for providing support and coordination to first responders and affected communities.”
The Labor Day 2020 windstorm triggered five simultaneous megafires and 12 smaller blazes across Oregon beginning September 7–8. Within days, the fires burned more than 1 million acres, destroyed more than 4,000 homes, displaced tens of thousands of residents, and killed 11 people. The five megafires rank among Oregon’s 20 largest wildfires since 1900.
The fires exposed vulnerabilities in Oregon’s emergency response system, underscoring the need for future-focused planning across all levels of government. State agencies were forced to collaborate on recovery efforts at a scale not seen in recent memory. Acting in her capacity as Speaker of the House at the time, Gov. Kotek convened a special bipartisan committee during the 2021 legislative session that resulted in millions of state-funded assistance and policy bills that helped jumpstart near-term recovery until federal assistance was available.
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinated with state agencies, local recovery groups and the American Red Cross to shelter and feed thousands of wildfire survivors. More information on OEM’s work can be found here.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) launched the Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) to strengthen its ability to serve Oregonians before, during and after disasters. For those who are still rebuilding their lives, ODHS will continue providing assistance and connecting people with the resources they need. OREM will also keep expanding partnerships, strengthening evacuation and care systems and investing in community-based resilience initiatives so that Oregon is ready to meet the challenges of the future. More information on ODHS-OREM’s work can be found here.
Acknowledging there are survivors of the 2020 Labor Day disasters who have not yet recovered, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and its resilient community partners have continued to work to ensure that every survivor who still needs it has a permanent housing solution. OHCS is working with partners to build over 2,600 homes to own or rent and provide supportive services. Find more wildfire recovery updates on the OHCS website here.
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